Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Will NorCo Council Confirm Allen?

For the second time, Northampton County Executive John Brown has nominated Cathy Allen as Director of Administration, his top cabinet level position. She's a high school graduate whose sole experience before coming to the county was as a secretary in a two-person office in which the other person was the boss. But Brown likes her, and has told Council he wishes he had ten more of her.

She would take over for Luis Campos, who suddenly resigned a few week ago. Instead of naming her as Administrator, he's appointing her as Interim Administrator, an appointment that only can last for six months. This is what Allen herself wanted and had actually spoken about before Luis Campos knew he was "resigning."

In addition to her inadequate education and lack of experience, Allen is currently facing foreclosure. She also is on the wrong end of two federal tax liens, from 2008 and 2011, for a total of $57,475.00. They are indexed against Allen under the name Catherine Allen Klages, and this would not be seen by a person looking for matters filed against Catherine Allen.

In September of last year, the state Department of Revenue also filed a lien against Allen, indexed as Allen-Klages, for $1,578.00.

Though she is clearly unqualified as even an interim director, Brown has a seven to two GOP majority on Council, and must think they will vote to confirm. John Cusick has already said he's a Yes, and my guess is that Seth Vaughn, Glenn Geissinger and Mat Benol will elevate their party over good government.

Ken Kraft and Bob Werner, the sole Democrats, are definite Nos. I think Hayden Phillips, who has been highly critical of Allen, would be a No. If he is able to persuade Matt Dietz to go along with him, it will come down to Peg Ferraro.

I would ordinarily say Peg Ferraro would be a Yes because she believes in deferring to the Executive on appointments. But since the job description calls for someone with an advanced degree, Peg may believe that Allen is unqualified.

Allen is part of an administration that has slowly worked at diminishing public service. Brown allows positions to remain vacant for far too long, as evidence by his failure to appoint someone to head up Emergency Services. This extends to the civil division as well.

The office is so strapped for manpower that no one can make copies of pleadings as a broken copy machine awaits repair. Last week, a lady who had driven 90 minutes to get custody papers was sent away. First priority has to be the entry of judgments in the index. Harried clerks are doing their best, but are simply unable to keep up. The County is losing revenue and the public is being deprived of service. These are both the exact opposite of what Brown promised.

The Civil Division is under Allen's control, and she's done nothing to change things for the better.

This political hack is an anchor to Brown and any republicans who back her. Simply, this is not partisan politics, its cronyism at its best. Placing the party above good government should be a death wish for any politician, but in NC in doesn't mean squat. I suspect Ms. Ferraro will carry the party banner and get this UNQUALIFIED tax-evader promoted. Wake-up NC citizens and dump these arrogant halfwits out of office on election day.

If there is a god in heaven..this will not stand. Peg! Please do the right thing and walk away from this woman. She is totally unqualified even for 6 months which will turn into a continuing appointment as Brown is up for reelection next fall. The county can't be left in the hands of Allen..under any circumstances.

Allen left Bangor in ruins..as did Brown.Tthe boro is still run by her crony sidekick James Kresge. They are tea party whack jobs with no leadership skills. This is nasty politics at it's worst. Just say NO!

Only in a bizarro universe should an unqualified political hack like Allen be appointed as a county executive. She is a vindictive menace who cheated on her travel expense reports and never showed remorse. She has been involved with shady contracts that should be investigated by the county Controller. She is a fraud and a tax cheat. If council approves her sorry ass for the second most powerful position in county government, they should be voted out of office next election.

Although I will not discern whether Ms. Allen should/shouldn't be approved by Council, some of your arguments, BO, I would challenge. First, the educational requirement of having a degree, I do not believe exists. Preferred, I would agree, but does not exist. If that was the case, John Conklin, was approved illegally. John was a high school graduate and only attended college having few courses under his belt. Secondly, being employed in a two person office; I distinctly remember Ann McHale being a secretary in a two person insurance office and she wanted to become County Executive. I am not an apologist for Ms. Allen, but let's compare apples to apples. If you are using arguments as to her performance to date, then that's another matter. Respectfully.

Cusick should be ashamed of himself for even entertaining the idea of appointing Allen. She is a scorched earth tea party koolaide drinker. Has left a path of destruction across the region with her crazy initiatives to save money by eliminating services and not replacing essential people when they bolt. Crack pot economics.

If there is a way to throw Brown out of office, it should be done immediately! He is ruining everything he touches! Positions can't be left open. Look at the lady at the greystone building that had a heart attack due to stress. That should be on Brown shoulder!

There is no position description under career service for county executive. So yes, a high school grad could run for office. But there is a job description for county administrator and Allen does not meet those qualifications. She is a know nothing tax cheat who should NEVER be placed in a position of such importance.

Only in today's political climate would an incompetent tax fraud be considered for a top management position. There are no qualifications required for political office but there should be for management officials

8:27, According to a job description supplied by Human resources in the past, the Director of Administration should be a person who has the equivalent of a bachelor's degree with major course work in public or business administration, extensive experience in public administration or any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience. By the county's own standards, Allen is unqualified.

You mention John Conklin. He has an associates degree, an engineer's degree and has done advanced coursework at American Military University. He also had extensive experience in the public sector before his appointment.

As for Ann McHale, she never served as Director of Administration. She was an elected member of Council, and was selected by the people. She met the basic requirements for holding public office, which are low. So when you talk about comparing apples with apples, that's what you should do.

A tax cheater and Brown stain butt wiper...... SAD...... Cannot wait to vote democratic for the first time in my life.

God please save America and Northampton County!

PS... I hear there is a federal lawsuit coming if she is appointed as she is unqualified as the job is listed by both an applicant as well as a group of tax payers. They will also be looking for an injunction on her assuming office until its decided.

This is gonna be a lot bigger then the Brown turd thinks and he can certainly answer on his campaign trail as to his "wisdom" in do this as Auditor General.... YOU JUST CANT MAKE THIS STUFF UP. BROWN SHOWS MORE AND MORE WHAT AN IDIOT HE IS.

The really sad commentary about this appointment is that Allen may be the only INTERESTED (not qualified) candidate for this important position. Here are major negatives for anyone who has the talent and qualifications to do this job:

1. It will be an 18 month position at best. If Brown even runs for re-election, he will get trounced.2. You must work for the worst executive in the county's history. Who would want to work for the bumbling, unethical Brown?3. You would have a slithering snake as your deputy who would never listen to you, and go behind your back to cause trouble.

Lehigh County and the City of Allentown are facing the same problem. A short-time assignment and in Allentown's case working for a potential felon. But Norco is even more dysfunctional thanks to Brown's "Ship of Fools."

How can a candidate for Auditor General have such poor judgement to recommend an unqualified applicant for the second most powerful job in the county? Brown becoming AG would be like a fox in a hen house. He has no integrity. Just hire and promote unqualified cronies and use taxpayers money to hire contractors who are his friends or contributors. One can only hope that there is a lawsuit against Brown if his sleazy sidekick Allen is appointed to this position.

Whoever on Council votes for Allen for this position is not doing their duty to the taxpayers of Northampton County. This would be an affront to not only the taxpayers but to eligible candidates who have worked to be educated. NO CRONYiSM.

It is horrifying that pompous butt-hole Cusick would vote in favor of this outrageous appointment. Doesn't he have ANY scruples? Let's hope Geissinger, Benol and Vaughn do the right thing for Norco taxpayers and vote down Brown's unqualified and clueless nominee.

Yet wasn't this exactly what happened when a Stoffa director was allowed to take a job with one of his contractors against county law? the Democratic county council rubber stamped the move so the guy would not be unemployed when Stoffa left office despite it being illegal as per the county.

3:28, the topic of this post is whether someone who is unqualified merits appointment. It has nothing to do with a county official who leaves county employment to work for a vendor. Stick to the topic.

Allen deserves no mercy. Her history precludes her from consideration for any leadership position. She is universally despised by the county workforce. That is not a leader. She is a negative nanny and hatchet woman for Brown. If you see her..pass by on the other side of the street.

Corrections officers are subjected to extensive background checks, including a credit check. The premise is if your financial house is not in order then you may be vulnerable to dealing contraband to inmates for personal gain. Allen already failed this litmus test miserably, not to mention that she is incompetent, arrogant, and clearly way over her head. John Brown never ceases to amaze me. They are mirror images of each other.

I pray that county council makes a just decision and rejects Allen. She's an unqualified train wreck who is a low skilled emotionally stunted intellect who will make the lives of good people as miserable as hers.

You simply cannot entrust the county admin to someone who has tax liens. I will cross party lines and vote against all republicans who support this appointment. I know they are reading this and I'm not alone.

Enough. Nominate a qualified candidate with the education and skills not a loyalist who grinds an ax.

Hope you are right. If the votes aren't there, Brown should withdraw his nomination rather than be embarrassed again in public. It is an insult to the county's taxpayers to nominate an obviously unqualified and unpopular person for county administrator.